The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has reported that the month of March in 2024 was warmer globally than any previous March in the data record, with an average surface air temperature of 14.14C, which is 0.73C above the 1991-2020 average for March and 0.10C above the previous high set in March 2016.

March was 1.68C warmer than an estimate of the March average for 1850-1900, the designated pre-industrial reference period, and this is now the tenth month in a row that is the warmest on record for the respective month of the year.

The global-average temperature for the past twelve months (April 2023 – March 2024) is the highest on record, at 0.70C above the 1991-2020 average and 1.5°C above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average.

Samantha Burgess deputy director of Copernicus Climate Service (C3S) emphasised the significance of the situation: “March 2024 continues the sequence of climate records toppling for both air temperature and ocean surface temperatures, with the tenth consecutive record-breaking month. The global average temperature is the highest on record, with the past 12 months being 1.58C above pre-industrial levels. Stopping further warming requires rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.’’

---